A whopping €300,000 has been awarded for 22 local agri-food tourism projects across the country.

Naas Farmers Market in Kildare received €17,650.

An Abbeyleix business has received the third largest amount under the fund.

Stephen Pratt Maize Maze in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, has received €23,800 under the 2025 Rural Innovation and Development Fund operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 

Fine Gael Deputy Willie Aird welcomed this news, and highlighted the importance of agri-food tourism to rural areas like Laois.

"Agri tourism provides opportunities for rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans to develop their products and services, diversify their businesses, welcome visitors and improve skills and best practice," Deputy Aird said.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, announced this funding.

Pictured: Laois Taste was awarded with agri food tourism funding in 2024. Photo: Alf Harvey

“I am delighted to announce the successful projects which have secured funding following the Agri-Food Tourism tender process for 2025," Minister Heydon said.

"It is great to be able to support these initiatives and build on progress already made.  The great geographical spread of the projects this year illustrates the interest in the sector, the development of agri-food tourism and its importance to communities throughout the country," the Minister highlighted.

"Our 10-year roadmap for the agriculture sector, Food Vision 2030, highlights the natural synergy between agri-food and local tourism. Agri-food tourism in rural areas allows our great food companies of all sizes to showcase their people, landscape, history and culture through agricultural produce, food and drink and local cuisine," he said.

"In addition, it provides opportunities for rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans to develop their products and services, diversify their businesses, connect with the local community, welcome visitors and improve skills and best practice," Minister Heydon finished.

Minister of State with responsibility for Food Promotion, Minister Noel Grealish, congratulated all the successful projects.

"The large volume of applications submitted shows the appetite that this sector has for innovative and collaborative ventures in this sphere," Minister Grealish said.

"The competition for funding under this programme is intense and those who were successful should be congratulated for their proposals and their upcoming projects. I wish all of those involved the best of luck for their events and I am sure that they will help to promote the fantastic food that this country produces year in and year out," he finished.

Here is the full list of projects funded through the programme:

• Cromane Seafest, Co. Kerry - €25,000
• Wildacres Honey Tour, Co. Wicklow - €14,630
• Inishturk Community Club – Taste of Inishturk, Co. Mayo - €16,800
• Hannah Quinn Mulligan, Tory Hill House Farm Shop, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick - €6,458
• Boyne Valley Food Heroes, Co. Meath - €13,317
• Taste of Sligo Food Festival, Sligo Town - €10,500
• Oakfield Park, Raphoe, Co. Donegal – Donegal Festival of Food - €23,689
• Kildare Co. Council – Naas Farmers Market - €17,650
• Hinterland West CLF, Clonbur, Co. Galway -Farm to Food Experience - €9,884
• Lough Gur Visitor Centre Food and Craft Experience, Bruff, Co. Limerick - €24,000
• Stephen Pratt Maize Maze, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois - €23,800
• Mount Briscoe Organic Farm, Daingean, Co. Offaly – A taste of the land - €15,400

Part Funded

• Cavan County Council (Cavan Food Network) - €10,000
• Destination Lough Derg (Tipperary County Council) - €10,000
• Kilkenny County Council (Taste Kilkenny) - €10,000
• Monaghan County Council (Food Destination Promotion) - €10,000
• Taste Experiences Waterford - €10,000
• Elmgrove Flower Farm, Gormanstown, Co. Meath – Daffodil Festival 2026 - €10,000
• Boyne Valley School of Food Culture, Co. Meath – Samhain Festival - €10,000
• Ailbhe Gerard, Field Exchange, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary – Food and Craft Festival - €10,000
• Tipperary Food Producers Network – Food Tourism - €10,000
• Common Knowledge Centre, Kilfenora, Co. Clare – Land and Lore events - €10,000

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